====== keyi: 可疑 - Suspicious, Questionable, Doubtful ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** kěyí, keyi, 可疑, suspicious in Chinese, questionable in Chinese, how to say doubtful in Chinese, Chinese word for suspicious, 可疑 meaning, 怀疑 vs 可疑, Chinese grammar, HSK 5
  * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **kěyí (可疑)**, which means "suspicious," "questionable," or "doubtful." This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical use in modern China. Discover how to describe a suspicious person, a questionable story, or a situation that just doesn't feel right, and understand the critical difference between the adjective **kěyí** and the verb "to suspect" (**huáiyí**). Perfect for HSK 5 students and anyone looking to add nuance to their Mandarin vocabulary.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** kěyí
  * **Part of Speech:** Adjective
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  * **Concise Definition:** Arousing or deserving of suspicion; questionable or doubtful.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **可疑 (kěyí)** is the primary adjective you use in Chinese when something seems "off" and makes you feel suspicious. It captures the feeling that something isn't quite right and warrants caution or further investigation. It can be used to describe people, objects, actions, sounds, or even abstract ideas like a motive or an explanation. Think of it as a label you apply to anything that raises a red flag in your mind.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **可 (kě):** This character most commonly means "can," "able to," or acts as a suffix similar to "-able" or "-worthy." It signifies potential or suitability.
  * **疑 (yí):** This character means "to doubt," "to suspect," or "suspicion." It represents a state of uncertainty or mistrust.
  * When combined, **可疑 (kěyí)** literally translates to "doubt-able" or "worthy of suspicion." This construction is very logical and makes the meaning easy to remember: something has the quality (**可**) of making you feel doubt (**疑**).
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
While suspicion is a universal human feeling, the use of **可疑 (kěyí)** in China is straightforward and practical, often tied to social order and safety. You will frequently see it on public signs and in announcements, such as "发现可疑物品，请立即报警" (fāxiàn kěyí wùpǐn, qǐng lìjí bàojǐng), meaning "If you discover a suspicious item, please report it to the police immediately."
In Western culture, a word like "shady" might be used to describe a suspicious person, which carries a strong informal and negative connotation of moral dubiousness. **可疑 (kěyí)** is a more neutral and broader term. While it can certainly describe a "shady" person, it can also describe a situation that is merely confusing or unexpected. For instance, an unexpected result in a scientific experiment could be described as **可疑**, meaning it's "questionable" and requires re-examination, without implying any moral wrongdoing. It focuses more on the objective quality of arousing doubt rather than just a negative moral judgment.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**可疑 (kěyí)** is a versatile word used in both formal and informal contexts.
  * **Formal/Official Use:** In the news, police reports, and official notices, **可疑** is used to describe potential threats or criminal elements.
    * e.g., **可疑**人员 (kěyí rényuán - suspicious personnel), **可疑**包裹 (kěyí bāoguǒ - suspicious package).
  * **Everyday Conversation:** In daily life, it's used to express personal doubt or gut feelings about a wide range of things.
    * e.g., Describing a person acting strangely on the subway, a story from a friend that sounds unbelievable, or a business proposal that seems too good to be true.
  * **Connotation:** The connotation is generally neutral to negative. It points out an inconsistency or a potential problem. Calling something **可疑** means you are cautious and not ready to accept it at face value. It's never a compliment.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 警察正在调查一个形迹**可疑**的男人。
    * Pinyin: Jǐngchá zhèngzài diàochá yīgè xíngjì **kěyí** de nánrén.
    * English: The police are investigating a man whose behavior is suspicious.
    * Analysis: Here, **可疑** modifies the man's actions (形迹). This is a common and slightly formal way to describe someone acting suspiciously.
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 我在门口发现了一个**可疑**的包裹。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ zài ménkǒu fāxiànle yīgè **kěyí** de bāoguǒ.
    * English: I found a suspicious package at the door.
    * Analysis: This is a very practical and common usage, often seen in public safety contexts. **可疑** directly describes the noun "package."
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 他不接电话，这很**可疑**。
    * Pinyin: Tā bù jiē diànhuà, zhè hěn **kěyí**.
    * English: He's not answering his phone, which is very suspicious.
    * Analysis: This shows how **可疑** can be used to describe an entire situation or fact. The subject is "这" (this), referring to the act of him not answering.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 你觉得他的解释听起来**可疑**吗？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ juédé tā de jiěshì tīng qǐlái **kěyí** ma?
    * English: Do you think his explanation sounds suspicious?
    * Analysis: This sentence uses **可疑** to question the validity of an explanation or story. The phrase "听起来" (tīng qǐlái - sounds like) is often paired with it.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 昨晚我听到了一个**可疑**的声音。
    * Pinyin: Zuówǎn wǒ tīngdàole yīgè **kěyí** de shēngyīn.
    * English: I heard a suspicious noise last night.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates that **可疑** can be applied to sensory input, not just visual actions or objects.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 这家公司的财务报表非常**可疑**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī de cáiwù bàobiǎo fēicháng **kěyí**.
    * English: This company's financial statements are very questionable.
    * Analysis: A good example of **可疑** being used in a business or formal context to mean "questionable" or "raising doubts."
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 他的动机有点儿**可疑**，我不完全相信他。
    * Pinyin: Tā de dòngjī yǒudiǎnr **kěyí**, wǒ bù wánquán xiāngxìn tā.
    * English: His motive is a bit suspicious; I don't completely trust him.
    * Analysis: Here, **可疑** describes an abstract concept, "motive" (动机). This highlights its versatility.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 没有任何**可疑**之处，一切正常。
    * Pinyin: Méiyǒu rènhé **kěyí** zhī chù, yīqiè zhèngcháng.
    * English: There's nothing suspicious at all, everything is normal.
    * Analysis: This sentence shows the negative form, emphasizing the absence of anything out of the ordinary. "之处" (zhī chù) means "place" or "point."
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 看到**可疑**人员，请保持距离并报警。
    * Pinyin: Kàn dào **kěyí** rényuán, qǐng bǎochí jùlí bìng bàojǐng.
    * English: If you see suspicious personnel, please maintain distance and call the police.
    * Analysis: This is typical language used in public safety announcements, showing its formal application.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 他突然对我这么好，我感觉很**可疑**。
    * Pinyin: Tā túrán duì wǒ zhème hǎo, wǒ gǎnjué hěn **kěyí**.
    * English: He's suddenly being so nice to me, I feel it's very suspicious.
    * Analysis: This informal example shows how **可疑** can be used to describe a change in behavior that makes one question the underlying reason.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common mistake English speakers make is confusing the adjective **可疑 (kěyí)** with the verb **怀疑 (huáiyí)**.
  * **可疑 (kěyí)** is an **adjective**. It //describes// a noun (person, thing, situation) as being suspicious.
  * **怀疑 (huáiyí)** is a **verb**. It is the //action// of suspecting or doubting something.
Think of it like "suspicious" (adjective) vs. "to suspect" (verb) in English.
  * **CORRECT:** 那个情况很**可疑**。 (Nàge qíngkuàng hěn **kěyí**.) - That situation is very **suspicious**.
  * **CORRECT:** 我**怀疑**那个情况。 (Wǒ **huáiyí** nàge qíngkuàng.) - I **suspect** that situation.
  * **INCORRECT:** 我**可疑**他。 (Wǒ kěyí tā.)
    * //Why it's wrong:// This is like saying "I suspicious him" in English. You are trying to use an adjective as a verb. The correct sentence would be "我**怀疑**他" (Wǒ huáiyí tā - I suspect him) or "他很**可疑**" (Tā hěn kěyí - He is suspicious).
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[怀疑]] (huáiyí) - The verb "to suspect" or "to doubt." This is the action that a **可疑** person or thing causes you to perform.
  * [[嫌疑]] (xiányí) - A formal noun for "suspicion," almost exclusively used in legal or police contexts. For example, 嫌疑人 (xiányí rén) is a "criminal suspect."
  * [[疑问]] (yíwèn) - A noun meaning "a doubt," "a question," or "a query." When you see something **可疑**, you might have many **疑问**.
  * [[奇怪]] (qíguài) - An adjective meaning "strange" or "weird." Something that is **奇怪** might also be **可疑**, but not always. A weird hat might be **奇怪**, but it's probably not **可疑**. **可疑** implies a stronger sense of potential deception or danger.
  * [[鬼鬼祟祟]] (guǐguǐsuìsuì) - An idiom (chengyu) describing someone acting in a "sneaky," "furtive," or "stealthy" manner. This type of behavior is, by definition, very **可疑**.
  * [[不解]] (bùjiě) - A verb meaning "to not understand" or "to be puzzled." This is often the feeling you have before you label something as **可疑**.
  * [[难以置信]] (nányǐ zhìxìn) - An idiom meaning "hard to believe." A story that is **难以置信** is often also **可疑**.